Solomon B., Solomon M., Alemu Y.
Abstract
The study was conducted in Sinana Dinsho district of Bale highlands, southeast Ethiopia to assess the relationship
between livestock and crop sectors in the farming systems. The integration of crop and livestock sectors was
stronger in the Sinana sub district, whereby oxen holding had significant effect (P < 0.05) on crop production. The
size of cultivated land increased (P < 0.05) with the number of oxen owned per household. In Dinsho sub district,
cattle in general and oxen holding in particular did not significantly affect (P > 0.05) both cultivated land area and
crop production suggesting relatively weak crop-livestock integration. In general, draught power and crop residues
are the main linking elements in integrating crop livestock sectors, particularly in Sinana sub district of Bale
highlands. Due to differences in climate and type of crops grown, mainly livestock production contributed to the
livelihood of farmers in Dinsho sub district, whereas farmers in the Sinana sub district earned their livelihood
mainly from crop cultivation.
Key words:
Bale highlands, crop residues, draught power, mixed crop livestock system